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Nov. 6, 1962
R. A. BROWN
3,062,990
PROTECTIVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
Filed April 10, 1961
”)
vA2
Inventor:
Russell A. Brown,
by
' Attorn e9.
United States Patent 0 ice
1
3,062,990
Patented Nov. 6, 1962
2
contactor is energized under the control of a program
3,062,990
I’RGTECTHVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
Russell A. Brown, Bloomington, Ill., assignor to General
Electric Company, a corporation of New York
Filed Apr. 10, 1961, Ser. No. 101,854
11 Claims. (Cl. 317—23)
This invention relates to protective electrical systems
for energizing electromagnetic switching devices such as
switch having a long on-o?f cycle compared to the under
voltage test cycle.
'
In general, the system includes undervoltage responsive
means which is periodically and momentarily energized
to test for an undervoltage condition and which is oper
ated to allow completion of an energizing circuit for the
contactor only so long as normal voltage conditions pre
vail. In carrying out the invention in one preferred em
magnetic contactors and, in particular, to motor starter 10
bodiment there is provided a switching device or con
systems for protectively energizing a plurality of motors
tactor to be protectedywhich is energized under the con
from a common power source, such as in oil ?eld pump
trol of timing means, such as a periodic time switch, and
ing installations where a plurality of motors are ener
gized during the starting or restoration of pumping.
also under the control of undervoltage responsive control
In one well known system, an electromagnetic switch 15 means in the form of a holding relay which is controlled
by the timing means. The timing means includes a nor
ing device, such as a magnetic contactor, includes princi
mally
open switch connected in series with the coil of
pal contacts in circuit with a load device, such as a motor,
the
relay
which includes two sets of normally open con~
and also holding contacts in parallel with a timing switch
tacts, one of which is in a sealing circuit for the relay coil
which is connected in series with the contactor energizing
and the other of which is in series circuit with the con
coil. This series connection is across a voltage source 20 tactor
coil. The timing means also includes a normally a
and the timer is arranged so that the timing switch is
closed
switch in series with the contactor coil, and the ar
closed periodically for brief intervals of time. Closure
rangement is such that the normally open and normally
of the timing switch applies voltage from the source
closed timing switches are periodically actuated to closed
across the contactor coil, and if such voltage is above a
'
certain level, the contactor picks up to energize the motor. 25 and open conditions respectively for brief intervals.
More speci?cally, the normally closed timing switch in
The circuit of the contactor coil is maintained through
the contactor coil circuit is opened initially and is fol
the holding contacts after the timing switch is opened.
lowed by closure of the normally open timing switch in
If, however, an undervoltage condition prevails, such
the relay coil circuit. The relay coil is thereby energized
“undervoltage” is applied to the contactor coil only mo
resulting in closure of the relay sealing contacts and the
mentarily by the timing switch so that the possibility of 30 relay
contacts in the contactor coil circuit. Since closure
damage to the coil or contactor is slight.
of the normally open timing switch in the relay coil cir
The above-described system is disclosed in United
cuit is subsequent to opening of the normally closed tim
States Patent No. 2,864,049, and has proved to be very
ing switch in the contactor coil circuit, energization of the
satisfactory in providing undervoltage protection. With
coil is prevented at this time and no contactor
such arrangement, however, the possibility exists that the 35 contactor
“pumping” can occur. The timer is arranged so that after
contactor will repeatedly pick up and drop out during
a brief interval, the two switches are returned to their
the interval that the timing switch is closed. This so
normal
conditions whereby the normally open switch is
called contactor “pumping” action may result in damage
opened
in
the relay coil circuit, and the normally closed
to the contactor or coil, and could occur if the line volt
switch is closed to complete the contactor coil circuit and
If normal line
age sags below the contactor drop out point for some rea 40
effect energization of the contactor coil.
son while the timing switch is closed. If this happens,
the contactor drops out, and as a result, the line voltage
is relieved of the motor load which causes ‘the line voltage
to rise. It the timing switch is still closed at this time, the
contactor coil picks up and if a voltage sag recurs, the
contactor will again drop out. This contactor “pumping”
or recycling will continue as long as the timing switch is
closed and voltage sags recur.
1
Accordingly, an important object of the present inven
tion is the provision of an improved control system for
energizing a load device through an electromagnetic
switching device so as to a?ord undervoltage protection
for the switching device and to eliminate the possibility
of repeated pick up and drop out of the switching device
during the energization thereof.
voltage conditions exist at this time, the contactor picks
up and the motor is energized. However, if the line volt
age sags to the drop out level of the relay, the relay drops
out and the two normally open relay contacts revert to
their open conditions to interrupt both the relay sealing
circuit and the contactor coil circuit. This deenergizes
the motor and such condition will prevail until the tim
ing switches are again actuated.
A further aspect of the invention involves the provision
of a program switch for controlling energization of the
contactor coil circuit in accordance with an on-olf cycle
which is long compared to the on-off cycle of the timing
switch.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will
become apparent from the following description taken in
A further object of the invention is the provision of an
conjunction
with the accompanying drawing in which the
improved system for controlling energization of an elec
single ?gure is a schematic circuit diagram of the control
tric load contactor including means for periodically and
system of the present invention.
momentarily testing for an undervoltage condition of the
Referring now to the drawing, there is schematically
system and for preventing “pumping” of the contactor by 60 illustrated
in the single ?gure a control system embody
disabling the contactor until normal voltage conditions
ing the invention and shown in connection with a plu
exist.
rality of motors 10 each energized from a common three
Still another object of the invention is the provision of
phase electric power source 11. Each of the motors 10
a system as de?ned in the preceding object wherein the
is connected for energization from the source 11 through
3,062,990
3
a separate’ branch circuit 12 and a separate control circuit
13. One of the circuits 13 is shown as enclosed in the
broken line rectangle and will be described in detail here
inafter.
Each branch circuit 12 is comprised of phase conduc
tors 14, 15 and 16 which include contacts of a conven
tional line switch 17 and line tuses 18. Each motor 10
is energized under the control of a separate motor con
tractor 19 each of which includes three movable prin
4
lected times for predetermined intervals, and such times
and intervals may be adjusted to give a desired operating
cycle for each motor. The switch 57 is diagrammatically
illustrated as including a cam 58 which is rotated by the
motor 37 through a reduction gear train diagrammatically
represented by the box 58' at a predetermined speed such,
for example, as one revolution per day. The periphery of
cam 58 engages a projection 59 of a resilient contact
carrier 60 which carries a contact 61 movable relative to a
cipal contacts 20 adapted to engage ?xed contacts 21 to 10 ?xed contact 62.
connect the circuit 12 to the motor through conductors
273, 24 and 25. The contactor 19 also includes an aux
iliary contact 26 which is movable with the contacts 20‘
relative to ?xed contacts 27 contained in a control circuit
described hereinafter. The movable contacts 20 and 26
are operatively connected to a magnetic armature 28 sur
rounded by a coil 29 one end of which is connected to the
conductor 15 through a conductor 36 and through ?xed
contacts 31 which cooperate‘ with movable contacts 32 of
a pair-of overload relays 33. The relays 33 may assume
various forms, such as thermal relays, and are» illustrated
in the form of electromagnetic relays with the movable
contacts 32 connected to magnetic armatures 34 sur~
rounded by coils 35 which are connected to the conduc
tors 23 and 25.
The contactors 19 of the several circuits 13 are each
energized under the control of a separate control means
illustrated in the form of- a timing device 36 of any suit
able construction which includes a timing motor 37 con
nected through conductors 38 to the conductors 15 and 16
of the circuit 12. With such connections the motor 37 is
energized whenever power is applied to the circuit 12.
The device 36 includes a timing switch 39 comprised of
a rotatable cam 40 which is rotated at a predetermined
In the illustrated embodiment, the cam 58 is recessed
at diametrically opposed areas as indicated by the refer
ence numerals 63, and when the cam 58 has rotated to
bring one of the recessed areas 63 beneath the projection
59, the carrier 60 will be moved downwardly to carry
the contact 61 into engagement with the contact 62. The
contact 61 is connected to the normally open contacts 54
of relay 49 through a conductor 64, and to ?xed contacts
65 of the switch 56. With the arrangement shown, the
intervals during which contacts 60 and 61 are engaged
are substantially equal to intervals during which such
contacts are disengaged. Also, such intervals are long
compared to the relatively short intervals during which
contacts 44-47 and 44-46 are open and closed.
The switch 56 includes two sets of ?xed contacts 65 and
66, and has three operating conditions effective respec
tively to-close the contacts 65, close the contacts 66, and
close neither of the contacts 65' and 66. To this end the
switch 56 includes a movable contact 67 which may be
' manually actuated to a ?rst position wherein it engages
the contacts 65, a second position wherein it engages con
tacts 66, and a third position wherein it is intermediate
the contacts 65 and 66.
When switch 56 is operated to close contacts 65, the
?xed speed by the motor 37 through a suitable driving
program switch 57 is effectively disconnected from the
connection designated by the dashed line 40’. The cam
40 includes a projection 41 extending from its periphery
adapted to periodically engage a projection 42 of a re
trolled thereby.
circuit and energization of the coil 29 cannot be con
When contacts 66 and 67 are in en
gagement, the‘ program switch 57 is connected in the
circuit and affords a controlling function. When the
silient contact carrier 43'which carries a contact 44. The
switch 56 is operated to position contact 67 intermediate
contact 44 is connected through a conductor 45 to the
contacts 65 and 66 as shown, the control circuit is rend
conductor 16, and is movable between a pair of ?xed
ered inoperative and the coil 29 cannot be enrgized.
contacts 46 and 47 in response to ?exure of the carrier
The operation of the control system may now be def
43 resulting from rotation of the cam 40. The cam 40
scribed. Let it be assumed that initially the contacts 65
is geared for rotation at the rate of one revolution every
and 67' of each switch 56 are in engagement, which
few minutes, and the projections 41 and 42 will be engaged
renders program switches 57 ineffective to control ener
45
for a brief interval, such as a few seconds.
gization of relay coils 29. Let it also be assumed that
In the present invention energization of each of the
power has just been‘ applied to the circuit 11 and that the
contactors is also‘ controlled by undervoltage responsive
switch 17 is closed so that the conductors‘ 14, 15 and 16
control means illustrated in the form of an electromag
of each circuit 12 are energized. For these conditions,
netic relay 49 which is in turn controlled by the timing
device 36. For this purpose the coil 48 of relay 49 is con 50 then the motor 37 of each timer is energized and the
cams 40 are rotating at preselected speeds. It is appre»
nected across the phase conductors 15 and 16 in a circuit
ciated that the earns 40 of the several control systems 13
including the contacts 44 and 46 of the timing switch.
operate‘ their associated‘ switches at random, and therce
The ?xed contact 46 is engaged by the contact 44 in re
fore it is unlikely that more than one of‘ the contactors
sponse to ?exur'e of the carrier 43 upwardly resulting
from engagement of the projections 41 and 42. The relay 55 will be energized at any given instant after the applica
tion' of power. When the projection 41 is out of en
49 includes a magnetic armature 50 which carries a pair
gagement with the projection 42, the contacts 44 and 47
of contacts 51 and 52 arranged to engage‘ respectively
are in'engagement, and the contacts 44 and 46 are out of
?xed contacts 53 and 54' in response to upward movement
engagement as illustrated in the drawing. As ‘a result,
of core 50‘ resulting from energization of the coil 43.
the energizing circuits for the coil 48 of relay 49 and for
60
The normally open contacts 53' are in series with the coil
the coil 29 of contactor 19 are interrupted.
48, and this series circuit is connected across the phase
conductors 15 and 16 to form a sealing circuit for the
coil 48. The normally open contacts 54 of the relay 49
When the cam 40 has rotated to a position wherein
the projection 41 engages projection 42, the carrier 43
is ?exed upwardly to ?rst move contact 44 out of engage
ment with contact 47 and then into engagement with con
65
conductors 15 and 16 which also includes conductors 30,
tact 46'. When contacts 44 and 47 are disengaged, the
are included in a series circuit connected across the phase
coil 29, a manually operable control switch 56 referred
energizing circuit for coil 29 ca inot be energized. When
to more fully hereinafter, normally closed contacts
contacts 44 and 46 engage, the coil 48 of relay 49 is
44-47 and conductor 45.
energized through a circuit which may be traced from
If desired, each timing device 36 may also include a 70 phase conductor 15 through coil 48, closed contacts
program switch 57 for further controlling energization
44—46 and conductor 45 to phase conductor 16. If an
of the associated co'ntactors 19. The switch 57 may be of
“undervoltage” condition exists at this time, relay 49 will
any suitable construction such, for example, as that shown
not pick up and, as will presently appear, this prevents
pick up of contactor 19 when projections 41 and 42 be
and described in the aforementioned Patent 2,864,049.
The switch 57 is arranged to be opened and closed at se 75 come disengaged.
5.
3,062,996
When coil 48 is energized under normal voltage con~
ditions, armature 50 is moved upwardly as viewed in the
s
of said source eifective respectively to permit and pre
vent energization of said switching device, and means for
drawing such that contact 51 engages contacts 53 and con
tact 52 engages contacts 54. Closure of contacts 53
periodically and momentarily subjecting said undervolt
establishes a sealing circuit *for maintaining energization
of coil 48 subsequent to disengagement of projections 41
and 42. The sealing circuit may be traced from phase
conductor 15, through coil 48, contact 51 and conductor
after e?ecting energization of said switching device if
said undervoltage control means is in said ?rst condition.
2. A protective starting system for an electric load
device comprising, an electromagnetic switching device
45 to phase conductor 16. Closure of contacts 54 condi
tions the circuit including coil 29 for energization when
projections 41 and 42 become disengaged. As previously
indicated, coil 29 cannot be energized until contacts 44
and 47 are engaged, and consequently, contactor “pump~
ing” cannot occur during the interval projections 41 and
42 engage.
As cam 40 continues to rotate, projection 41 will be
moved out of engagement with projection 42, and as a
age control means to voltage of said source, and for there
for controlling energization of the load device from a
voltage source, undervoltage responsive control means
operable for controlling energization of said switching
device, said undervoltage control means having ?rst and
second operating conditions for normal voltage and un
dervoltage of said source elfective respectively to permit
and prevent energization of said switching device, and
second control means for controlling both said switching
device and said undervoltage control means, said second
result, carrier 43 is moved downwardly so that contact 44
control means being operable to periodically operate said
is ?rst moved out of engagement with contact 46 and then
into engagement with contact 47. When this occurs, the 2O undervoltage control means to establish said ?rst operat
ing condition if normal voltage exists, and to thereafter
energizing circuit for coil 29 is established and this circuit
effect energization of said switching device, said under
may be traced from phase conductor 15 through contacts
voltage control means being operated from said ?rst con
32, conductor 30, coil 29, contact 67, conductor 64, con
dition to said second condition in response to a selected
tact 52, closed contacts 44-47, and conductor 45 to phase
undervoltage condition of said voltage source.
conductor 16. When coil 29 is energized, armature 28
3. A protective starting system for an electric load de
is moved upwardly such that contacts 2% and 26 engage
vice comprising, a magnetic contactor for controlling
respectively contacts 21 and 27. Closure of the three
energization of the load device from a voltage source, an
sets of contacts 21 results in energization of the motor
energizing
circuit for said contactor, energizable under
310, and, if voltage conditions are satisfactory, the con
voltage responsive control means effective when ener
tactor 19 will remain in its picked up condition. Closure
gized to prepare said contactor energizing circuit for en
of contacts 27 establishes a sealing circuit including coil
ergization, an energizing circuit for said control means,
2?, a portion of which shunts contacts 44~47 for main
switch means for controlling both said contactor ener—
taining coil 29 energized during subsequent intervals
gizing circuit and said control means energizing circuit,
when projection 41 engages projection 42 and contacts
said switch means being actuable to a ?rst condition
44 and 47 are disengaged.
35 effective to interrupt the contactor energizing circuit and
In the event that voltage of circuit 11 should sag for
to establish said control means energizing circuit, and
some reason to the dropout level of relay 49 after con~
actuable to a second condition effective to complete the
tactor 19 has been picked up, the relay 49 will drop out
prepared contactor energizing circuit and to interrupt the
and its contacts 51 and 52 will be disengaged from con
tacts 53 and 54. Opening of contacts 54 results in inter 40 control means energizing circuit, a sealing circuit for
maintaining energization of said control means when the
ruption of the energizing circuit for coil 29 and, as a
control means energizing circuit is interrupted, said con
result, contactor 19 drops out and the motor 19 is deener
gized. When motor 10 is deenergized, voltage of circuit
11 will rise but coil 29 cannot be reenergized until relay
49 is picked up, which cannot occur until cam 40 has
trol means being operable in response to energizations
below a selected level to interrupt said contactor ener
gizing circuit, and said sealing circuit and means oper
able to repeatedly actuate said switch means to said ?rst
and second conditions in alternation.
4. A protective starting system for an electric load
provides a so-called “one shot” motor start with under
device comprising, a magnetic contactor for controlling
voltage protection and wherein contactor recycling or
energization of the load device from a voltage source,
“pumping” is eliminated. It is noted that inasmuch as the
energizing circuit for coil 29 is interrupted during the 50 an energizing circuit for said contactor, an undervoltage
relay effective when energized to prepare said contactor
period that projection 41 engages projection 42, recycling
rotated to again position projection 41 in engagement
with projection 42. The system described, therefore,
of contactor 19 cannot occur during such period. The en
ergizing circuit for coil 29 is established immediately after
disengagement of projection 41 with projection 42, and
undervoltage protection is afforded by the relay 49.
If program switch 57 is employed, and switch 56 is
actuated so that contacts lid-67 engage, then coil 29 can
be energized only when cam 58 has rotated to position
one of the recesses 63 beneath the projection 59 so as to
effect closure of contacts 6l—62.
Although the invention has been described with ref
erence to certain speci?c embodiments thereof, numerous
modi?cations are possible ‘and it is intended in the at
tached claims to cover all modi?cations falling within
65
the spirit and scope of the invention.
What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters
Patent of the United States is:
l. A protective starting system for an electric load de
energizing circuit for energization, an energizing circuit
for said relay, switch means including a ?rst normally
closed switch in said contactor energizing circuit and a
second normally open switch in said relay energizing
circuit, control means operable to repeatedly actuate said
?rst and second switches in the sequence wherein the ?rst
switch is opened, the second switch is closed, and the
?rst and second switches are respectively closed and
opened, and a sealing circuit for maintaining energization
of said relay when the second switch is open, said relay
being operable in response to energizations below a
selected level to interrupt said contactor energizing cir
5. A protective starting system for an electric load
device comprising, a magnetic contactor for controlling
energization of the load device from a voltage source, an
energizing circuit for said contactor, an undervoltage
relay effective when energized to prepare said contactor
vice comprisin-g, an electromagnetic switching device for
controlling energization of the load device from a volt 70 energizing circuit for energization, an energizing circuit
for said relay, switch means including a ?rst normally
age source, undervoltage responsive control means oper
closed switch in said contactor energizing circuit and a
able for controlling energization of said switching device,
second normally open switch in said relay energizing cir
said undervoltage control means having ?rst and second
cuit,
control means operable to repeatedly actuate said
operating conditions for normal voltage and undervoltage
?rst and second switches in the sequence wherein the ?rst
3,062,990
7
quent to energization of said relay coil to close said nor
mally closed switch to energize the contactor coil and to
opened, and a sealing circuit for maintaining energization
of said relay when the second switch is open, said relay
being operable in response to, energizations below a
selected level \to'interrupt said contactorv energizing cir
open the normally open switch, said relay being operable
to open its normally open contacts in response to ener
gizations below a selected level to deenergize the con
tactor coil whereby the relay coil and contactor coil re
main deenergized until the control means again operates
cuit, said control means including a timer to be energized
from said voltage source for maintaining, the ?rst switch
open’and the second switch'closed for a time; interval less
said switch means to close said normally open switch.
9. A protective system for energizing a plurality of elec
than-that during which the ?rst switch, is closed and the
tric load devices from a common source of voltage com
second switch is open.
6. A protective starting system for an electric load de
prising, a plurality of control circuits each including a
magnetic contactor having contacts in circuit with one of
said load devices, said contacts being closed in response
vice comprising, a magnetic contactor for controlling
energization‘of the load device from avoltage source, an
energizing circuit for said‘ contactor, an undervoltage
relay etfective when energized to prepare said contactor
to energization of the contactor, an energizing circuit
'for the contactor, undervoltage relay means e?ective
when energized to prepare said contactor energizing cir
cuit for energization, an energizing circuit for said relay
means, switch means for controlling both said contactor
energizing circuit for energization, an energizing circuit
for said relay, switch means including‘ a ?rst normally
closed switch in said contactor energizing circuit and a
energizing circuit and said relay energizing circuit, said
second normally open switch in said relay energizing cir
cuit,v control means‘ operable to repeatedly actuate said
?rst and second switches in the sequence wherein the ?rst
switch‘is opened, the second switch is closed, and the ?rst
and second switches are respectively closed and opened,
and a sealing circuit for maintaining energization of said 25
relay when the second switch isopen, said relay being‘
operable in response to energizations below a selected
level to interrupt said contactor energizing circuit, said
contactor including normally open contacts shunting said
?rst switch, said normally open contacts being closed in
response to completion of said contactor energizing cir
cuit to maintain such completion during intervals when.
said ?rst switch is open.
7. A protective starting system for an electric load de
vice comprising, a magnetic contactor for controlling
switch means being actuahle to a ?rst condition effective
to interrupt the contactor energizing circuit and to es
tablish said relay energizing circuit, and actuable to a
second condition e?ective to complete the prepared con
tactor energizing circuit and to interrupt the relay ener
gizing circuit, a sealing circuit for maintaining energiza
tion of said relay means when the relay energizing cir
cuit is interrupted, said relay means being operable in
response to energizations below a selected level to inter
rupt said contactor energizing circuit, and means oper
able to repeatedly actuate said switch means to said ?rst
and second conditions in alternation.
10. A protective system for energizing a plurality of
electric load devices from a common source of voltage
comprising, a plurality of control circuits each including
a magnetic contactor having contacts in circuit with one
of said load devices, said contacts being closed in re
sponse to energization of the contactor, an energizing cir
cuit for the contactor, undervoltage relay means effective
when energized to prepare said contactor energizing cir
energization of the load device from a voltage source, an
energizing circuit for said contactor, an undervoltage re
lay effective when energized to prepare said contactor
energizing circuit for, energization, an energizing circuit
for said relay, switch means, including a ?rst normally
closed switch in said contactor energizing circuit and a
cuit for energization, an energizing circuit for said relay
means, switch means for controlling both said contactor
second normally open switchin said relay energizing cir
energizing circuit and said relay energizing circuit, said
cuit, control means, operable to repeatedly actuate said
switch means being actuable to a ?rst condition effective
to interrupt the contactor energizing circuit and to estab
?rst and second switches in the sequence wherein the
?rst switch is opened, the second switch is closed, and
lish said relay energizing circuit, and actuable to a second
condition e?ective to complete the prepared contactor
energizing circuit and to interrupt the relay energizing cir
cuit, a sealing circuit for maintaining energization of said
relay means when the relay energizing circuit is inter
rupted, said relay means being operable in response to
the ?rst and second switches are respectively closed and
opened, and a sealing circuit for maintaining energiza
tion of said relay when the second switch is open, said
relay being operable in response to energizations below a
selected level to interrupt said contactor energizing cir
cuit, said control means comprising a timer to be ener
energizations below a selected level to interrupt said con
gized from said voltage source for maintaining the ?rst
switch open and the second switch closed for a time in
terval less than that during which the ?rst switch is
closed and the second switch is open, said contactor in
tactor energizing circuit, and control means operable to
repeatedly actuate said switch means to said ?rst and
second conditions in alternation, said control means in
cluding a timer to be energized from said voltage source
for maintaining the ?rst switch condition for a time in
terval less than that during which the second switch con
dition is maintained.
cluding normally open contacts shunting said ?rst switch,
said normally open contacts being closed in response to
completion of said contactor energizing circuit to main
tain such completion during intervals when said ?rst
switchis-open.
8.. A protective starting system for an electric load
device comprising, a magnetic contactor having normally
open contacts in circuit with said load device, and a coil
energization to close said contacts, undervoltage relay
means including ?rst normally open contacts in circuit
with said, contactor coil, second normally open contacts,
and a coil energizable to close said ?rst and second nor
8
said control means being additionally operable subse
switch is opened, the second switch is, closed, and. the
?rst and second switches are respectively closed and
60,
11. A protective system for energizing a plurality of
electric load devices from a common source of voltage
comprising, a plurality of control circuits each including
a magnetic contactor having contacts in circuit with one
of said load devices, said contacts being closed in re
sponse to energization of the contactor, an energizing cir
cuit for the contactor, undervoltage relay means effec
tive when energized to prepare said contactor energizing
circuit for energization, an energizing circuit for said re
mally open contacts, a sealing circuit for the relay coil
lay means, switch means for controlling both said con
including said second contacts, switch means including a
?rst normally closed switch in circuit with said contactor 70 tactor energizing circuit and said relay energizing cir
cuit, said switch means being actuable to a ?rst condi
coil and a second normally open switch in circuit with
tion eifective to interrupt the contactor energizing cir
said relay coil, and control means operable for actuating
cuit and to establish said relay energizing circuit, and
said switchv means to initially open said normally closed
actuable to a second condition effective to complete the
switch, and to- thereafter close said normally open switch,
prepared
contactor energizing circuit and to interrupt the
75
for energizing said relay coil to close, said relay contacts,
8,062,990
relay energizing circuit, a sealing circuit for maintaining
energization of said relay means when the relay energiz
ing circuit is interrupted, said relay means being operable
in response to energizations below a selected‘ level to in
terrupt said contactor energizing circuit, and control
10
second switch condition is maintained, and a program
switch included in said contactor energizing circuit.
References Cited in the ?le of this patent
UNITED STATES PATENTS
means operable to repeatedly actuate said switch means
to said‘?rst and second conditions in alternation, said
control means including a timer to be energized from
said voltage source for maintaining the ?rst switch con
dition for a time interval less than that during which the 10
1,855,735
Wensley ____________ __ Apr. 26, 1932
2,216,598
2,259,965
Minneci ______________ __ Oct. 1, 1940
Taliaferro __________ __ Oct. 21, 1941
2,977,511
Reeder ____________ __ Mar. 28, 1961